1. William and Judith Hurst of Shenandoah County

In 1749 Judith Hurst signed a land deed transfer between Richard Harrel, Sr. and Richard Harel, Jr. In 1751 William Hurst was tester to a deed between Jacob Harrel and Reuben Paget. Also in that same year, William was named the tithable road list for Augusta County. Who are they? According to Family Search, William Hurst was born about 1694 in Leckhamstead, Buckinghamshire, England; he came to America with his parents (Henry and Mary Bill). His father died in Orange County, Virginia in 1717. William married Judith Calfee/Caffrey/Caffree about 1730 in Virginia. William died March 29, 1781 at Hawksbill Creek, Shenandoah County, Virginia. Family Search records indicate Judith Caffrey was born about 1698 in Leckhampstead, England (this is questionable).

*This ancestry for William Hurst has been disproven by:

a) Recently-revived genealogical research from about 100 years ago
b) Recent work with English church parish marriage/birth/death registers
c) DNA Y-chromosome testing

The true ancestry of William “Brindle Will” Hurst remains unknown. HOWEVER, the DNA research to date shows most or all Hursts from Virginia share a common male ancestor in years not too much further back than the 1700s.

2. James McKay of Shenandoah County

Robert McKay, the father of James, was among the first settlers of the Shenandoah Valley. His son, James, appears on two land deeds consummated by Richard Harrel, Sr. He also appears on the land transfer between Jacob Harrel and Ruben Paget. In 1746 James was on the tithable list for Augusta County. In 1751 he was appointed by the court to view a road in Augusta County along with Richard Harrel. James McKay was born about 1711 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. He married Mary Chester about 1749 in what is listed as Shenandoah County, Virginia (although it was Augusta County). He died in 1797 at Beckfort Parish, Shenandoah County, Virginia. His wife, Mary Chester was born in 1724 at Blue Ridge, Virginia. She was the daughter of Thomas Chester and Sarah Cartmell.The McKays died and are buried in Beckfort Parish, Shendandoah County, Virginia.

3. Henry Netherton of Westmoreland County

He was a tester to the land deed transfer between Richard Harrold and John Harrold in November 1750. Family Search indicates Henry Netherton was born about 1710 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. They had a son named Henry Netherton, who was born about 1740 in Prince William County, Virginia. He died about 1800 in Jefferson County, Kentucky. Eventually there was intermarriage between the Netherton and McKay lines. The Nethertons and Harrels might have migrated to Augusta County at about the same time. Stafford County is one county west of the Northern Neck of Virginia. Prince William county is two counties west of the Northern Neck.

4. Howsen Kenner of Prince William County

Why did Mary Harrill nominate Howsen Kenner to administrate her husband’s estate? Who was Howsen Kenner? Kenner was a Justice of the Peace for Prince William County. We can gather from his will that he may have rented land to John Harrill. Chances are, he also rented land to James Harrill. Perhaps if he were James’ landlord, Mary would have found it very natural to turn to him for assistance. According to an extensive nine page internet posting on Genforum by Kiley Walbom, Howson was christened in St. Stephen’s Parish in Northumberland Co., Virginia on May 10, 1712. Capt. Kenner is buried near Somerville, Virginia about 1/2 mile west of Rte. 610. (This might be the general vicinity where James Harrill lived.)